The East Village is open! Shop your favorite East Village businesses and show your support for Manhattan's last real neighborhood.

The #EASTVILLAGELOVES campaign was conceived by the East Village Independent Merchants Association (EVIMA) in the wake of the 2nd Avenue explosion that occured on March 26th 2015, when a devastating explosion and fire leveled three historic buildings at the corner of Second Avenue and East 7th Street tragically claiming two lives, destroying dozens of homes, and displacing several businesses both temporarily and permanently. Over thirty-eight establishments lost business due to barricades, blocked traffic, emergency operations, and a broader avoidance of the site by visitors.

In the wake of these events, neighborhood business leaders, local elected officials and the East Village Independent Merchants Association (EVIMA) have rallied to celebrate that the East Village is here and open for business. Nearly all businesses affected by the blast have re-opened on Second Avenue and East Sixth Street, East Seventh Street, and St. Marks Place. Now is the perfect time to visit the East Village and to find new favorites among a widely diverse retail and food landscape.

Shop local at your favorite East Village spots, and continue supporting mom and pop businesses under threat in the East Village.